When Spain faces a crisis of great impact —whether it is a terrorist attack, a natural disaster, a migration crisis, a pandemic, or an international conflict— there is an organ responsible for coordinating the strategic response of the State. This is the National Security Council (CSN), the main support and advisory body of the president of the Government in matters of National Security.
Although it usually takes center stage in exceptional situations, it is not an emergency body nor does it replace the Council of Ministers. Its mission is to coordinate information, analyze risks, and facilitate decision-making by the Executive.
What is the National Security Council?
The National Security Council was created by the Law 36/2015, on National Security, as the body responsible for assisting the president of the Government in directing National Security policy.
Its main function is to analyze threats, coordinate the different administrations, and promote a joint response from the State when a situation affects national security.
It does not approve laws or adopt executive decisions by itself. Its agreements serve to advise the Government and facilitate coordination among ministries and institutions.
Who is part of the Council?
The Council is presided over by the president of the Government. On certain occasions, the King may also attend, when invited by the head of the Executive, as provided by the National Security Law.
In addition, the following usually form part:
- The vice-presidency or vice-presidencies of the Government.
- The competent ministers depending on the matter addressed (Interior, Defense, Foreign Affairs, Presidency, Economy, Health, Transport, etc.).
- The Chief of the Defence Staff (JEMAD).
- The director of the National Intelligence Center (CNI).
- The director of the National Security Department (DSN).
- Other high-ranking officials whose presence is deemed necessary depending on the crisis.
The composition may vary depending on the topic being addressed.
When does it meet?
The National Security Council can meet in two cases:
- Ordinarily, when convened by the president of the Government to analyze the situation of National Security or to follow up on strategies in different areas.
- Extraordinarily, when a crisis occurs that requires immediate coordination among the different departments of the State.
There is no fixed periodicity established by law. It is the president of the Government who decides when to convene it, depending on the situation.
In recent years it has been convened, among other circumstances, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, major wildfires, cyberattacks, the war in Ukraine, or migration crises.
What issues does it address?
The Council can address any issue that affects National Security. Among them, the following stand out:
- terrorism.
- cybersecurity.
- national defense.
- migration and border control.
- protection of critical infrastructures.
- civil protection emergencies.
- energy security.
- hybrid threats and disinformation.
- maritime and space security.
- pandemics or health risks.
Its objective is to offer a joint vision of all the bodies involved.
Can it declare a national emergency?
No. One of the most frequent confusions is to think that the National Security Council declares a national emergency by itself. It does not.
The executive decisions correspond to the Government through the procedures established in the corresponding legislation.
The Council advises, coordinates, and analyzes, but does not replace the competencies of the Council of Ministers or the ministries.
What role does the Department of National Security have?
The Department of National Security (DSN) acts as a permanent support body for the Council.
It depends directly on the Presidency of the Government and works throughout the year preparing reports, assessing risks, and continuously monitoring threats that may affect Spain.
When the Council meets, the DSN prepares a large part of the technical documentation that serves as the basis for the deliberations.
Can the King attend?
Yes, although he is not a permanent member of the Council.
The National Security Law establishes that the King can preside over meetings when invited by the president of the Government.
His presence has an institutional character and does not alter the constitutional distribution of competencies. Decisions still correspond to the Executive.
What is the difference between the National Security Council and the Council of Ministers?
Although both can meet in the face of a crisis, they fulfill different functions.
The National Security Council is a body for coordination and strategic advice. It analyzes the situation, shares information among bodies, and formulates proposals.
The Council of Ministers, on the other hand, is the body that adopts executive decisions: it approves decrees, mobilizes resources, declares extraordinary states when the law allows it, and directs the action of the Government.
In other words, the National Security Council helps coordinate the response; the Council of Ministers is the one who decides and governs.
Why is it important?
In a complex crisis, numerous state bodies usually intervene: ministries, Armed Forces, Security Forces and Bodies, intelligence services, Civil Protection, autonomous communities, and, on occasions, European or international institutions.
The National Security Council allows all those actors to share information and coordinate a common strategy, reducing the risk of uncoordinated responses.
For this reason, it has become one of the main instruments of the State to manage situations that affect the security of Spain from a global perspective.